Aligning device for manifolding typewriters



'June 18, I935. A. G "PIERCE I v 0 ALIGNINGDEVICE FOR MANIFOLDING TYPEWRITERS Filed Oct. 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 18, 1935.

A. G. PIERCE ALIGNING DEVICE FOR MANIFOLDING TYPEWRITERS Filed 0ct.1l, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 18, 1935; I

A. PIERCE ALIGNING DEVICE FOR MANIFOLDING TYPEWRITERS Filed Oct. 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES-.,

ALIGNING DEVICE. FOR MANIFOLDING TYPEWRITERS;

Arthur G. Pierce, Quincy, Mass, assignor to Atlantic Register Company, Waltham, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application O'ctober 11, 1934, Serial No. 747,875 12 Claims." (01. 197-133) a plurality of superposed continuous strips of paper or similar material for use in such machines as manifolding typewriters and is. ex-

; emplified herein in a device adapted for use with a manifolding typewriter in which the platen is fixed and the typewriter is movable thereover in relation thereto.

In the use of manifoldi-ng typewriters of the foregoing type, it has heretofore been customary to use a plurality of continuous superposed strips of paper which are led over theplaten from a supply generally located below the ma chine, which may be in the form of rolls or flat packs or in other forms. The paper strips areprovided with printed forms suitable for the intended use, which forms are separated. by transverse weakened lines or perforations so that when a form has been filled in by the typewrit; er, the paper strips may be pulled forwardly by the operator and the original and the copies of the filled-in form torn oif. The forms are provided with filing holes and it has been cus tomary in the use of these machines to provide a pair of small hooks in the front of the platen adapted to engage the filingholes in the forward ends of the paperstrips to hold them against rearward movement, and a cross bar, having perforations for receiving the hooks, for

: holding the forward ends of the paper strips in placefthis cross bar being adapted to be raised by a foot treadle when a form has been filled in, to permit the paper strips to be drawn forwardly and the filled-in form torn off using the cross bar as a tearing bar. 1

of being mounted without the use of any fastening means on the usual stand provided for typewriters of this kind. I

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a device simple and compact inv construction, efficient in operation and which can be made and installed at a very low cost.

Another object is the provision of an aligning device whichv is adapted to be operated by the .raising and lowering of the tearing member; so that when applied to a machine of this type the usual operations carried on bythe operator have the; effect of operating the aligning device.

A-further object of; the invention is the provision. of a device which permits the strips of paper to be. threaded through or adjusted in the device very quickly and without appreciable effort. a

Other objects of the invention will be more specifically set forth and described hereinafter. Briefly, my invention contemplates in its pre: ferred form a series of aligning leaves pivotally mounted at their lower edges in a suitable sup: port and spaced apart to accommodate a contin: uous strip of paper between each two adjacent leaves. The paper strips which are directed up-, wardly from a supply beneath the aligning device pass between, the aligning leaves and are then turned, horizontally to pass over the platen and under the operating'mechanism of the typewriter toward the operator, means being provided'to hold the forward ends of the strips against rear ward, movement. Normally, the aligning leaves are held in a retracted approximately. vertical: position to hold the paper strips straight and taut but means is provided whereby when the tearing member is raised the aligning, leaves are turned through an appreciable angle toward the Operator to permit thepaper to be drawn forwardly without appreciable resistance-from. said leaves to bring, a new form under the typewriter;.. When the tearingmember isv lowered the leaves are turned back to a normal approximately vertical position inwhiehmovement the upper edges of the aligning leaves. tend to drag the paper strips rearwarolly and to straighten and align them and to hold them in that position.

The support which the aligning leaves are carried is preferably pivotally' mounted in a frame so that itmay be turned through an arc of approximately ninety degrees to facilitate the threading of the paper strips between the leaves whennew strips are beinginserted in the'device. The frame, is so; constructed that it may be mounted on the typewriter stand as, ordinarily constructed without requiring fastening means. In the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in sectionof a typewriter and stand of the type,v in which the body and operating. mechanism of the typewriter are so mounted asito be relatively movable to theplaten,

Fig.4 is a view in perspective of an aligning Fig. is a plan view of one end of a group of leaves to illustrate the method of spacing the leaves by turning the upper end corners;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a corner of a leaf showing another form of spacing device;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal 'sectionalview of the device, the aligning leaves being shown in a normal retracted position; Fig. 8 is a similar view with the aligning leaves in a forward position to permit the paper strips to be drawn forwardly and Fig. 9 is a similar view-showing the leaf support turned upwardly to facilitate the threading of the paper strips between the aligning leaves. Referring to Figure l of the drawings, there is shown a stand comprising a pair of standards or leg portions iii fastened together in separated T upright position by' tie rods [2 and I 4, which standards carry fixed thereto on edge a pair ,of

' the paper, are mounted in the forward edge of the platen and a transverse tearing member 26 is provided for holding the paper strips down on thepins or hooks. The tearing member may be of any suitable form such as a bar having holes 28 for accommodating the pins or hooks and it is mounted on and between a pair of levers 29, each pivotally mounted on a pin 30 set in the inner face of one of the bars l6 below the V platen. The forward ends of the levers 29 are turnedupwardly at right angles for supporting i the tearing member above the platen and their rear ends are connected together by a cross-bar 3| so that they may be moved in unison. For holding the tearing member seated on the platen or the paper, a spring 32 is connected at one end to a depending lug 33 on 'a lever 29 and'at its other end to a pin 35 set in any suitable part of the stand. If desired, a spring may be used on each lever but usually one spring will be found adequate. To raise the tearing member, a foot treadle 36, pivotally'mounted'on a rod 31 carried by the feet portions of the standards and connected by a rod 38 to the cross-bar 3| connecting the two levers-29, may be depressed by the 'operators foot. When the pressure on the treadle is released, the springs 32 return the tearing member t normal position.

All the foregoing parts are old and well known and'my invention resides in. providing an aligning device of'novel construction which is adapted to be mounted on and between the rear ends of pair of side members 43 fastened together midway by a cross-bar 44 and at their forward ends by a metal rod 45. Adjacent their rear ends, theside members are provided each with a bottom edge recess 46 for housing the rod H! of the typewriter stand and at their forward ends each i with a notch 41 for engaging 'a pin 48 set in the inner face of bar IS. The frame is set loosely on the rod 18 and pins 48 but is made to fit between the bars- It so that lateral movement of the frame is prevented, and also at the same time any appreciable longitudinal movement of the frame on the rod l8 and pins 48 by the forms of the recesses-46 and notches 41.

The leaf support may be of any suitable form Y but as shown comprises a pair of end plates 50 fastened together in separated parallel relation by a cross bar 52. The end plates are approximately rectangular with their lower rear corners out off on a diagonal line 53 and the upper rear edges of the plates may be turned inwardly to form flanges to which the cross-bar 52 may be fastened. The leaf support is pivotally mounted at its upper forward corners within the frame on pins 54 set in the side bars 43 and isheld in horizontal position by gravity against pin stops 55, also set in said side bars, which are engaged by the oblique portions 53 of the two end plates. The leaf support may, however, beturned upwardly on the, pivot pins 54 in a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Within the support-is mounted a plurality of aligning leaves 40, spaced apart to permit the free passage of a strip of I paper between each two adjacent leaves. The leaves are pivotally mounted adjacent their bottom edges in the end plates 50 of the support and means is provided for turning them in unison forward and back to perform the aligning operation. I

I ,Each leaf '4!) (Fig. 4) is of rectangular form and is provided on each end at or adjacent its bottom edge with an ear 60, the. two ears being adapted to engage holes 6| in the end plates of the leaf support. The leaves are mounted in upright position and are pivotally movable between pin stops 62 and 63 set in said end plates in position to beengaged by the forward'lea f or the rearwardleaf respectively for limiting the movement of the leaves in a. forward or a rearward direction.

At their bottom edges the spacing of the leaves is regulated by the distance] between the holes 6| which is fixed but any suitable means may be provided for holding the top portions of the leaves in spaced relation so long as that means does not interfere with the relative movement of the leaves one to another when turned pivotally en masse. One means of accomplishing thisresult is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and consists in bending the upper corners 65 of all the leaves equally and'at an angle which will give the desired spacing. In Fig. 6 another method is shown consisting in mounting U- shaped spring clips 66 on the upper edges of alternate leaves, the thickness of the material from which. the clips are made determining: the spa In. order that the top edge. of each. leaf may project a slight distance above thetop edge of the forwardly of i the aligning device and permits each strip to be aligned/by its particular leaf free from interferencefrom. other strips.

Nonnally, the leaves. 4e are held in a retracted position with the rear leaf. in. enga ement with the stops 63 by pressure exerting means ingene' gagement with the foremostv leaf. One. form of this means comprises arod 10., slidahly. mounted in the cross-bar M: which hasaffixed' to its. rear end a slotted block 'H. carrying a rolltll; .Midway, the rod 10 is bent to forma coil 13 and a helical spring 14 is fastened at one end to said; coil and at its other end to thecross-bar 4i.

Since the spring is, under tension at alltimes it.

tends. to, force the rod rearwardly and to push the aligning leaves in a rearward direction into the retracted position shown in Figure 7 in which the reannost leaf engages the stops 63. Fastened to the bottom of the rearmost leaf is an arm 15. to the end of which is secured a spring 16 which is attached at its other end to. the cross-bar 52. This spring is also under tension and tends to throw the leaves forwardly against the stop 62 into the position'shown in Figure 8' but being. weaker than the spring M. it has no effect so long as that spring is operative. v

For controlling the operation of the aligning leaves through the; foot treadle 36 which raises the tearing member. 26,, a bell crank leverlB is.

pivotally mounted on a depressed portion of the cross-bar and the forward end of the rod 10 is connected to. the rearwardarm, of, said lever. The forward arm of the bell crank lever is bi furcated in order to straddle the foot. treadle rod 38 and the bell crank lever is so. positioned that when the treadle is in raised position and the tearing member is in holding position, the bifurcated arm of the bell crank-lever is in engagement with the cross-bar 3.! connecting the two levers 29 on which the tearing member is mounted. A roll [9 may be mounted on the cross-bar 3| for projecting in between thebifurcations of the forward arm of the bell crank'lever to hold same against lateral movement and the bell crank lever may be locked against lateral movement on the cross rod 45. between apair of 1 washers 80.

The. foremost aligning leaf 4.0, which receives the thrust of the roll 12;, may be pro-, vided with av reinforcing strip 82 to prevent any bending of that leaf in the center under the pres sure exerted through the rod Ill.

For guiding the paper strips in. their passage to the typewriter, a pair of dependinguides 83 having their upper ends in the form of hooks are hung on the cross-bar 44 and are fastened in. any adjusted position longitudinally said bar by thumb screws 84. The end of each guide is bent into a horizontal position to extend rearwardly' and to hold it in the latter position). it maybe provided with a. hookv 85; loosely mounted on a; pin 86 set in. the inner face of. one of the. end plates of, the leaf support, and'adapted to hook under the cross-bar 44.

, In the use of my device, the frame. and. aligning mechanism carried thereby as shown Figure are placed in position, on the rear portion ofthe typewriter stand as shown in Figure 1. .The; leaf.

support is then turned upright and locked, by the hook 85 and is ready for threading the continuous. paper strips; through the block of aligning leaves.

In the use of devices of this kind, thesupplyq of paper may be placed upon the floor or upon a.

suitable support underneath the rear portion of the. stand, in position to. be drawn upwardly through the aligning device and then horizontally over the platen andunder the typewriter. In Figure 1,. the paper strips. 98 areshown asbeing superposed and folded zigzag in that relation to form what is termed a flat pack 91 The paper strips are perforated or weakened on transverse lines so that they foldreadily in thoselinesto form the pack, and each fold as a rule is. printed with a standard form adapted to be filled, in with typewriting. It is also customary to. provide each of the forms with a pair of filing holes. In the drawing, the flat pack is shown as made up of four superposed strips but a greater or a lesser number may be used. Stationery of roll formv may be used if desired.

In preparing the -machine for operation, the four strips are passed throughv any fouradjacent spaces 92 between the aligning leaves and the forward ends of the superposed strips are then pulled over the platen, the tearing member'raised either by hand or by operating the foot treadle, and the ends of the strips. are arranged on the front edge of the platen with the hooks 24 inthefiling holes. The tearing bar is dropped to hold the. strips on the hooks. The leafsupport is then unhooked and turned back into normal. horizontal position during which, movement the roll 12 carriedby the rod 10 engages the forward aligning leaf and. forces all the leaves into the position shown in Figure 7 thereby straightening and 1 on the aligning leaves andpermits the spring 16 to throw them forwardly. The paper strips are then pulled forwardly to bring a new form under the typewriter and are locked on the hooks. 24., after which the. tearingmember is dropped into holding position by releasing the pressure on the;

treadle and the used sheets are. then torn off. When the tearing member drops the aligningleaves are pushed rearwardly to. straighten and align the'pa'per strips. In this movement the top edges of those leaves in engagement with the strips o'f paper drag against the strips and tend.

to pull them rearwardly thereby straightening out the strips into register with each other and this condition is maintained due to the sharpangle in the strips at those edges as shown in Fig. 7. Since the pivotal points; of theleaves: are

arranged on a curve, the top edge of each leaf projects slightly above the top edge of the leaf immediately forward of it as the leaves are turned rearwardly so' that the strips of paper are thereby rections, normally operative positioned and threaded, the normal operation of the tearing member by the foot treadle operates it so long as the supply of paper lasts.

It is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific form herein shown and described since it may be embodied in various other forms of construction all within the scope of the following claims. What I claim is:-- I

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, a plurality of aligning leaves pivotally mounted in said support in spaced relation permitting a paper strip to travel between each two adjacent leaves from a source of supply, a pair of stops for limiting the pivotal movement of said leaves in both directions, normally operative means for holding said leaves in a retracted position against one of said stops and means for turning said leaves forwardly against the other of said stops when said holding means is released. r

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of'a support, a plurality of aligning leaves pivotally mounted in said support in said-stops when said holding means is released.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, a plurality of aligning leaves pivotally mounted in said support inspaced relation permitting apaper strip to travel between each two adjacent leaves from a source of supply, a pair of stops for limiting the pivotal movement of said leaves as a whole in both directions, normally operative means for holding said leaves in one positionagainst one of said stops and a spring for turning said leaves against the other of said stops when said holding means isv combination of a pivotally mounted support, a

plurality of aligning leaves pivotally mounted in said'support in spaced relation permitting a paper strip to travel between each'two adjacent leaves from a'source of supply, a pair of stops for limiting the pivotal movement of said leaves as a whole in both directions, normally operative means for holding said leaves in one position against one of said stops and means for turning said leaves against the other of saids'tops when said holding means is released. 7 I t In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, a plurality of aligning leaves pivotally mounted in said support in spaced relation permitting'a paper strip to travel between each two adjacent leaves from a source of supply, a pair of stops for limiting the pivotal movement of said'leaves as a whole in both dimeans for holding said leaves in one position against one of said stops and a spring for turn-,

' ing said leaves against the other of said stops when said holding means is released, said lastmentioned spring.

6. In a device of the character described, the" combination 'of. a I plurality of aligning leaves spring pressedmounted pivotally for movement a limited arc and spaced apart to permit a paper strip to travel freely between each two adjacent leaves from a source of supply, a pair of stops for lim-: iting the pivotalmovement of said leaves in both directions, means normally operative for holding said leaves againstone'of saidstops inapproximately parallel relation to the path of said strips from the source of supply to said leaves and' a pair of stops adapt'edto be engaged by the two end leaves for limiting the pivotal movement of said leaves in both directions, spring pressed means normally engaging the forward leaf for holding said leaves in a retracted position, a

spring connected to the rearmost of said leaves, said spring being weaker than said holding means, and treadle operated means for withdrawing said holding means to permit said spring to throw said leaves forwardly for permitting strips of paper to be drawn freely through said aligning i leaves, said holding means being adapted when the pressure on said treadle is released to throw said leaves to a re'- tracted position for straightening out and aligning-said paper strips; i 1

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame adapted for mounting on a typewriterstand, a support mounted in said frame, a series of aligning leaves pivotally mounted at their bottom edges and in spaced re-' lation in said support, a pair of stops for limiting the pivotal movement of said leaves in both directions, a spring pressed member for normally engaging the forward leaf for holding said leaves in a retracted aligning position, a spring connected to the rearmost of said leaves, said spring being weaker than said holding means, and treadle operated meansfor withdrawing said holding means to permit said spring to throw said leaves forwardly for permitting strips of paper to be drawnfreely through. said aligning leaves, said h'oldingtmeans being adapted when the pressure on said treadle is released to throw said leaves to a retracted position for straighteningout and aligning said paper strips.

' iting the pivotal movement of said leaves in both directions, spring pressed means for normally engaging the forwardleaf for holding said leaves in a retracted positionya spring connected to' the rearmost of said leaves, said spring being weaker than said holding means, and treadle operated means for withdrawing said-holding means to permit said spring to throw said leaves forwardly for permitting strips of paper to, be

drawn freely through said aligning leaves, said holding means being adapted when the pressure on said treadle is released to thrown said leaves to aretracted position for, straightening out, and aligning said paper strips. i

10. The combination with a typewriter stand provided with a horizontal platen and means for holding the forward ends of a plurality of superposed continuous strips of paper overlying said platen, of an aligning device comprising a support, a series of aligning leaves pivotally mounted in said support at their bottom edges and in spaced relation, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said leaves in both directions, means for normally engaging the forward leaf for holding said leaves in a retracted position, a spring connected to the rearmost of said leaves, said spring being weaker than said holding means, and treadle operated means for withdrawing said holding means to permit said spring to throw said leaves forwardly for permitting strips of paper tobe drawn freely through said aligning leaves, said holding means being adapted when the pressure on said treadle is released to throw said leaves to a retracted position for straightening out and aligning said paper strips.

11. The combination with a typewriter stand having a platen, provided with means for holding the forward ends of a plurality of superposed continuous strips of paper led over said platen from a supply below the same, a bar for holding said paper on said holding means and treadle operated means for raising said bar to permit said paper strips to be drawn forwardly, of an aligning device for straightening out and aligning said strips of paper on said platen comprising a leaf support mounted on said stand behind said platen, a series of leaves mounted upright at their bottom edges for pivotal movement in. a limited are, said leaves being spaced apart permitting a strip of paper to travel upwardly between each two adjacent leaves, means for throwing said leaves forwardly when said holding bar is raised by the operation of said treadle in order to permit said paper strips to be drawn forwardly between said leaves and means whereby when the pressure on said treadle is released permitting said bar to return to paper holding position said aligning leaves are turned rearwardly to straighten and align said paper strips over said platen, said means being adapted to hold said leaves in retracted position so long as said treadle remains in a raised position.

12. The combination with a typewriter stand having a platen provided with a pair of pins for holding the forward ends of a plurality of superposed continuous strips of paper led over said platen from a supply below the same, a bar for holding the ends of said strips on said pins and treadle operated means for raising said bar to treadle in order to permit said paper strips to be drawn forwardly between said leaves and means whereby when the pressure on said treadle is released permitting said bar to return to paper holding position said aligning leaves are turned rearwardly whereby the top edges of said leaves drag on said paper strips to straighten them and align them over said platen, said leaves when in a retracted position being adapted to hold said strips in straightened aligned position.

ARTHUR G. PIERCE. 

